advertisement

Judge rules Chicago cop must cover tattoo salute to fallen soldiers

A Chicago police officer's tattoo is a form of personal expression that might be misinterpreted by the public, a federal judge said, tossing out the legal complaint of three officers who argued they shouldn't have to cover up their ink while on the job.

"For some, the Confederate flag signifies honor and valor, displayed in recognition of the many who gave their lives in defense of strongly held beliefs," U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras wrote in his ruling. "For others, that same flag epitomizes the subjugation of an entire race of people and represents disobedience to the principle our nation holds dear, that all men are created equal. Due to the fact that symbols can so easily be misinterpreted, regulation of tattoos by their content would be unworkable and ineffective."

Three current Chicago police officers filed suit in July, challenging a departmental rule that forces cops to cover up tattoos. One of the officers, Daniel Medici, has a tattoo of a halo and wings that honors fellow U.S. Marines who didn't make it back from Iraq.

For the complete story, click here.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.